CHRISTMAS ICONES or SYMBOLS
The Christmas Wreath
The tradition of the wreath dates back to Roman times, when offering a wreath made with a
green plant to someone was a way of wishing good health to that person. The plant gave the wreath a
special beauty and assured the immediate accomplishment of the wish.
During the Saturnalia festival, one of the Romans celebrations that is at the origin of Christmas date of
December 25, Romans gave one another holly wreaths.
Today's Christmas celebrations...
Hanging stockings or empty shoes by the fireplace
The tradition of hanging a Christmas stocking or leaving an empty shoe by the fireplace originated from
one of the very many stories about Saint Nicholas: the three young girls of Patara. This story is not a legend.
We know it really happened, and it explains somehow the reason why the bishop of Myra is
considered to be the patron saint of young people. We for sure find a connection between the bags of gold
the father of the three young girls found under the window or, according to another version, Saint Nicholas
dropped down the chimney, and the gifts wise children find in the shoe or in the hunging stocking they
left by the fireplace for Santa to fill with small presents on Christmas Eve, on December 6 or
January 6, according to the country.
The Stars
The use of stars for decorating the Christmas tree is mainly linked to the giant star that
guided the three Wise men (Magi) from the East to where the Baby Jesus was born.
The Christmas Mass
The tradition of Christmas Mass is common to all catholic countries. It is celebrated on the night from
December 24 to 25 because it is popular belief that Jesus was born at midnight, though nobody really knows
the exact day, even less the exact hour when that event took place.
Father Christmas's Reindeer
Father Christmas's sleigh is pulled by eight reindeer; their names are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Donder, Blitzen
and Rudolph, the...
Christmas colours
Christmas main colours are green, red and gold; they are used for candles, lights, garlands...
Nowadays there is a tendency also for blue, most probably due to Danish Christmas influence.
Yellow was chosen for the symbolic star that guided the three Magi to Baby Jesus;
no wonder, yellow is also the symbolic colour for the Sun. Because of its green leaves and red
berries, holly...
© Dulce Rodrigues
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